Watering Advice

[Pumpkin_king]

Hello,

This is my first summer with an allotment and just wanted to check what people thought about watering. It's been about 20 degrees today and wondered if i would need to water. I gave everything a good watering last night and was unsure if i needed to do it again?

Thanks

Neil

[Zenithtb]

Dig down about 10" and check for yourself :-) Probably not needed...

[zazen999]

I only water in seedlings, or plants under exceptional circumstances...but then I'm on clay.

The more you water the closer the roots grow to the surface and the more you need to water.

[rustylady]

If stuff is in open ground you really shouldn't need to water every day, whatever the temperature. Just make sure that when you do, you really do give it a good soak. I leave depressions round thirsty plants like courgettes, so the water stays where it is put rather than watering the ground round them.

[chris]

Mulching will help too, mulch - if needed (i.e. their wilting) water - boom job done

[rustylady]

Mulching will help too, mulch - if needed (i.e. their wilting) water - boom job done

Actually, you need to make sure the soil is moist BEFORE you apply mulch.

[Two_Sheds]

If you apply a mulch (and you should), make sure you water the ground thoroughly first. You don't water onto a mulch, because the water won't reach the soil underneath

[Glutton4...]

Actually, you need to make sure the soil is moist BEFORE you apply mulch.

If you apply a mulch (and you should), make sure you water the ground thoroughly first. You don't water onto a mulch, because the water won't reach the soil underneath

Can you two please shout that VERY loudly to Mr. G. who insists on putting the sprinkler on, instead of the hosepipe, coz it's booooring!

Thank you!

[chris]

Ahh, I'd always chucked my stuff down (i,e stones) - then watered through them... Does seem to be moist, but I guess that'st he nature of them.

d'oh thanks for the tip

[rustylady]

Ahh, I'd always chucked my stuff down (i,e stones)

I think most of us when we're talking about mulch are talking about organic mulch (e.g. compost, lawn clippings etc.)

[Bigmallly]

Ahh, I'd always chucked my stuff down (i,e stones) - then watered through them... Does seem to be moist, but I guess that'st he nature of them.

d'oh thanks for the tip

I think stones are used to stop the water drying out too quickly & to protect tender roots ie.Clematis......That's just my thought on it, I may be wrong.

[crazii_c]

I think stones are used to stop the water drying out too quickly & to protect tender roots ie.Clematis......That's just my thought on it, I may be wrong.

thats what i've used stones for this year, as i grow lots in pots i found last year that the soil dried out too quickly, so the stones have helped retain some moisture.

[chris]

Aye - I'm using them on a broadie in a bucket, with a flower bucket type thing on top (in the centre - to increase the height) - stones around the bucket - seems to keep it damp all the time

I do use compo etc around my fruit shrubs though !